NCLEX Practice Test 2025 - Free NCLEX Practice Questions and Study Guide

Eating three large meals a day can exacerbate symptoms of GERD by putting excess pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter, leading to reflux. Instead, it is recommended to eat smaller, more frequent meals to help reduce symptoms. This approach can help reduce the likelihood of stomach contents flowing back up into the esophagus, which is a common issue in GERD. Sleeping with the head of the bed elevated can also help prevent acid reflux during the night by gravity assisting in keeping stomach acid down. Switching to decaffeinated coffee rather than regular coffee helps as caffeine can trigger reflux symptoms. Using nicotine patches should be avoided, as nicotine can relax the lower esophageal sphincter, leading to increased reflux symptoms.